Living in the U.S. with limited knowledge of the people, social norms and laws is immensely challenging. IRC interpreter, Artem Kulyk, describes the functions of interpretation services at the IRC in Silver Spring and what it means to our clients.

In 2022, the IRC in Silver Spring supported over 150 Ukrainians who came to the U.S. since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While each newcomer has a different story, they share in the experience of fleeing their home country for fear of violence and persecution. In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, we spoke with client, Zhumaima, who came to the U.S. in July 2022 after leaving Ukraine.

Hear what life is like for three families affected by the war.

Murtaza Mohammad Hossain, a refugee from Afghanistan, overcame numerous challenges with the help of the IRC's Matching Grant program, eventually securing a job and a donated car that transformed his family's life in the USA. His journey highlights the importance of support systems in achieving self-sufficiency and the profound impact of community assistance.